Why it matters
If you plan to withdraw too much too soon, the portfolio has less room to absorb bad market years. The calculator uses this rate to convert annual spending into a target portfolio size.
Guide
Safe withdrawal rate.
The withdrawal rate is one of the biggest levers in the calculator. A lower rate usually means a larger portfolio and more cushion.
How to think about it
A conservative rate gives you more slack, while a higher rate may look appealing but leaves less tolerance for volatility, inflation, and spending surprises.
Try the calculator with several rates
Run the same scenario at 3.0%, 3.5%, and 4.0% to see how much the target changes. That comparison usually tells you more than a single number.
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